The impact of psychosocial factors on menstrual function disorders in adolescent girls under conditions of military conflict

Abstract

Military actions create conditions of chronic stress that negatively impact the reproductive health of adolescents. The role of psychosocial isolation and emotional state in the development of menstrual dysfunction under the conditions of prolonged military conflict requires detailed study.

Aim - to evaluate the impact of psychosocial factors and stress levels on menstrual cycle regularity in adolescent girls during military conflict.

Materials and methods. A survey was conducted among 100 girls (aged 11–18 years). Two groups were formed based on the regularity of the menstrual cycle: the main group (n=28) - girls with menstrual cycle disorders; and the comparison group (n=72) - girls with a regular cycle. Stress susceptibility was assessed using the "Determination of the degree of susceptibility to stress" questionnaire (adapted by M.M. Prylyutska). Statistical analysis was performed by calculating relative values; Student's t-test and p-value were used to assess the significance of differences.

Results. It was established that the key social risk factor is the restriction of in-person (offline) learning. The obtained data confirm that social isolation and the transition to distance learning under martial law significantly impair the adaptive capacities of adolescents, which correlates with menstrual cycle disorders. A comparative analysis of the psycho-emotional state revealed that a high level of exhaustion occurred significantly more frequently in the girls of the main group. Pronounced psycho-emotional exhaustion under chronic wartime stress is a powerful predictor of menstrual dysfunction in adolescent girls.

Conclusions. The lack of socialization ("social vacuum") and a high level of stress load under the conditions of military conflict are determinants of menstrual dysfunction. Almost two-thirds of the respondents with an irregular menstrual cycle significantly more often had pronounced psycho-emotional exhaustion, adaptation difficulties, and a high level of emotional distress. The most common manifestations were feelings of fatigue, lack of recovery after rest, and anxiety without an apparent cause.

No conflict of interests was declared by the author.